La Niña arrives and promises impacts on the global climate

La Niña, a climate phenomenon characterized by the anomalous cooling of waters in the Equatorial Pacific, has become established after months of anticipation. Experts from NOAA (the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) have confirmed the occurrence of the event, with a 59% chance of it persisting until the period from February to April and a 60% chance of a return to neutral conditions between March and May.

Even though this La Niña is considered weak, with low chances of reaching significant levels (-1,0 °C), its effects are already visible. The period from October to December 2024 presented typical La Niña precipitation patterns, with above-average rainfall in some areas and drought in others.

However, the influence of other climate factors, including global warming trends, may soften or intensify these impacts.

What to expect?

Although a short-lived La Niña is forecast, its effect on climate conditions could still be relevant, especially for agriculture, with possible changes in rainfall and temperature patterns.

In Brazil, agricultural regions may experience a pattern of drought in the south and more intense rainfall in the north and northeast, historical characteristics associated with this phenomenon.